DOES TURKISH MODEL OF DEMOCRACY LACK EMPIRICAL VALIDITY IN THE ARAB WORLD? A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Ahmed Raza

ABSTRACT

A larger section of scholars in the Arab world and West have been acknowledging Turkey as an effective model of democracy for the emerging democracies after Arab spring due to its ability to maintain balance between Islam and democracy. But, this paper explores how Turkish model of democracy does not fit into the Arab world. The study will also highlight the weaknesses of the Turkish model and offer a new perspective. The civil-military engagement and the dominance of the concept of secularism over Islam that characterizes modern Turkey cannot be simply implemented in Arab countries. The study will also examine various socio-economic, cultural and political differences between Turkey and the Arab world and explore the non-viability of the full application of the Turkish model in the Arab region. Turkey has always benefitted from a diversified economy, a lengthy track record of solid economic management and structural reform, geographical proximity to Europe, integration with European markets, and the effect of its associate membership in the European Union (EU) which more or less, help Turkey maintain democratic pattern of governance and weather the factors that create instability on communitarian identities.